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Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc2020; 32(4); 542-548; doi: 10.1177/1040638720932906

Detection of Chlamydia species in 2 cases of equine abortion in Switzerland: a retrospective study from 2000 to 2018.

Abstract: Species of genus are important pathogens of animals, with a worldwide distribution and broad host range. Some species, such as , also pose a zoonotic disease risk. Abortion is one of the many diseases that has been associated with chlamydial infections in animals, with most attention focused on the economic impacts to sheep production. The role of chlamydia in equine abortions is unknown. Using the family-specific 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) real-time PCR, we tested 169 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded fetal membrane samples from 162 equine abortion cases collected between 2000 and 2018 in Switzerland. Two equine abortion cases (1.2%) tested positive for . Further analyses by the species-specific 23S rRNA ArrayMate microarray and sequencing of a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene revealed and . In both cases, equine herpesvirus 1 was also present, which might have been the abortion cause, alone or in synergy with . The prevalence of abortigenic chlamydial species in equine abortion cases in our study was significantly lower than rates described elsewhere. Zoonotic chlamydial agents present in equine fetal membranes nevertheless should be considered a potential risk to humans during foaling, abortion, or stillbirth.
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Publication Date: 2020-06-11 PubMed ID: 32522107PubMed Central: PMC7438654DOI: 10.1177/1040638720932906Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article examines the role of Chlamydia species in instances of equine abortion in Switzerland, discovered in two such cases analysed from 2000 to 2018. The prevalence of these abortigenic chlamydial species was found to be lower than rates observed in other regions, but the study suggests they still pose a potential zoonotic risk to humans during foaling.

Objective and Methodology of the Study

The researchers endeavored to understand the prevalence and impact of Chlamydia species, a type of pathogen usually associated with abortion in animals, in cases of equine abortions in Switzerland. The study involved retrospective analysis of 162 equine abortion cases from the years 2000 to 2018. In particular, 169 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded fetal membrane samples were tested using the family-specific 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) real-time PCR.

  • The primary test used in the study was the family-specific 23S rRNA real-time PCR—a tool often utilized for detecting and quantifying pathogenic microorganisms. This method allows for the investigation of minute samples, including those that are formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded, as in this study.
  • A retrospective design was chosen to facilitate a long-term investigation of equine abortion cases, thereby providing a comprehensive picture of chlamydial infections over time.

Findings

Out of 162 cases, two (1.2%) tested positive for Chlamydia species. Those cases were further analysed with a species-specific 23S rRNA ArrayMate microarray and sequencing of a fragment of the 16S rRNA gene, which revealed the presence of Chlamydia abortus and Chlamydia psittaci.

  • Chlamydia abortus and Chlamydia psittaci are species of bacteria that are known to cause abortions in animals.
  • Interestingly, in both cases, equine herpesvirus 1 was also present, suggesting the potential for synergy between these pathogens in causing abortion.

Implications and Conclusion

The prevalence rate of chlamydial species in equine abortions in this study was significantly lower than the rates documented in other regions. Despite the low frequency, it is notable that the presence of these zoonotic chlamydial agents in equine fetal membranes can still be a potential health risk to humans during foaling, abortion, or stillbirth.

  • The zoonotic risk—indicating transmission from animals to humans—stresses the necessity of implementing proper safety measures during foaling, and following instances of equine abortion or stillbirth.
  • The low prevalence, yet potential severity of transmission, both underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring, and highlights avenues for further research in this area.

Cite This Article

APA
Baumann S, Gurtner C, Marti H, Borel N. (2020). Detection of Chlamydia species in 2 cases of equine abortion in Switzerland: a retrospective study from 2000 to 2018. J Vet Diagn Invest, 32(4), 542-548. https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638720932906

Publication

Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
ISSN: 1943-4936
NlmUniqueID: 9011490
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 32
Issue: 4
Pages: 542-548

Researcher Affiliations

Baumann, Sibylle
  • Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (Baumann, Marti, Borel).
  • Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (Gurtner).
Gurtner, Corinne
  • Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (Baumann, Marti, Borel).
  • Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (Gurtner).
Marti, Hanna
  • Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (Baumann, Marti, Borel).
  • Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (Gurtner).
Borel, Nicole
  • Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland (Baumann, Marti, Borel).
  • Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland (Gurtner).

MeSH Terms

  • Abortion, Veterinary / microbiology
  • Animals
  • Chlamydia / isolation & purification
  • Chlamydia Infections / epidemiology
  • Chlamydia Infections / microbiology
  • Chlamydia Infections / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses
  • Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Switzerland / epidemiology

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Citations

This article has been cited 8 times.
  1. Ricard RM, Burton J, Chow-Lockerbie B, Wobeser B. Detection of Chlamydia abortus in aborted chorioallantoises of horses from Western Canada. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023 Jul;35(4):359-365.
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